Leica M3 pricing question

[clicker]

I am in need of some advice on what is a reasonable price to pay for a Leica M3 with a serial number over 1,1000,000 with average meter rub marks on the top plate.The camera is in good condition but will need a CLA.
Thanks,
Clicker

 

[Meleica]

thomas is spot on.... there is a large premium for over 1,000,000 serial #'s and an even larger premium for #'s over 1.1 million....

It really depends on the issues that require the CLA and the exact cosmetic condition.... As I said, $ 800 would be a very good price to try and it acquire it for unless it requires an expensive and extensive CLA

good luck

Dan

 

[Paul T.]

I bought a user M3 - rub marks, dings, (nice-looking) real wear but no abuse - with CLA from Youxin Ye for $550. s/n approx 1.1m.

Sellers can use the late s/n to ask for a higher price - I"m sure I would - but that doesn't mean you have to pay it.

 

[ALEXFLEX]

I bought a user M3 - rub marks, dings, (nice-looking) real wear but no abuse - with CLA from Youxin Ye for $550. s/n approx 1.1m.

Sellers can use the late s/n to ask for a higher price - I"m sure I would - but that doesn't mean you have to pay it.

In China, M3 prices were speculation $1,000:bang:​

 

[rover]

I bought mine, over 1.1m in good user condition, similar to what you describe I assume, after a CLA, for $700, a few years ago. If not in good or excellent condition I don't think much of a premium is justified for the late production run. Also, if it is known to be in need of a CLA the price should be reduced.

 

[johannielscom]

all these higher prices are caused by the assumption that Leica personnel was more skilled by the time the production run was coming to an end.

This has never been proven, by comparing an early batch and a late batch of cameras for the number of service returns. Although it sounds feasible, it is just as easy to have the opposite sound likely: by the end of the production run the Leica personnel got bored with building the same model over and over, thus performing a sloppy job on some examples. Furthermore, as time progressed the more skilled workers left the factory and were replaced with apprentices who still had to learn their masters' tricks.

I own two early double stroke models (734xxx and 804xxx) and both work like a clock. Both have dents and scratches, both get used almost every day.

Just get any Leica M3 that is in a trustworthy user condition and burn film. If you are planning to use it for the time we have left until film meets extinction, paying extra for a late model (and subsequently always being overly careful with it) will not make you enjoy the camera more.

If you are planning to buy for a collection, that's a whole new ball game.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps make a decision. Enjoy your Leica!